And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves.
Have you ever been on a difficult journey by yourself? Maybe you are on that journey now, or maybe it’s a journey you are walking with your family. Sometimes we find ourselves in difficult places or on difficult paths, and we have ourselves to thank. We made decisions that got us to an uncomfortable path that now is teaching us something important.
Other times, however, Jesus takes us on a difficult path.
It’s easy to be on the journey, tired and worn out, and want to turn back. Our complaints like dripping water soak our attitudes. As we look to the left or the right, no one but our few companions understand our difficulty.
Why does Jesus call a few people up the high mountain by themselves? Is it punishment? Is it consequences? Why the difficult journey?
That day, Jesus wanted to bring a trusted few to see Him for His real nature as fully man and fully God. Jesus wanted them to see a picture of what was to come. Jesus wanted to show them what no other human had ever seen.
Today you may be on a difficult journey with family, coworkers, or even by yourself. You look around you, and loneliness attempts to creep in. Who understands the pain? Who understands the difficulty? Maybe this journey is one that Jesus lead you on, but take hope: there is something of who He is that He wants to show you, and you will never be the same again.
Today, take a step.
Maybe today the one step God wants you to take is to trust Him in the climb. Perhaps you are in the middle of a climb up a high mountain and God wants you to persevere. Maybe God wants you to just take the next step in ascending to His glory. Perhaps He wants you to receive hope today: He will meet with you; you will see His glory.
Whatever the step, ask God to direct it. Take a moment to take that step. Invite Him to speak. He will.
Life is a long road. Walk it with Jesus. Take a step today… just one is fine.
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*Leon, Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew. Pillar New Testament Commentary (Wm. B. Eerdmans, 1992), 436–438, and Keener, C. S., Matthew (Vol. 1, Mt 16:28–17:3) (InterVarsity Press, 1997).